TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- One of five quarterbacks behind AJ McCarron, Blake Sims has been the only signal-caller other than Alabama's starter to see the field through the Crimson Tide's first seven games.

Should that be viewed as a sign for Alabama's post-McCarron future? On his Thursday radio show, Alabama coach Nick Saban was asked specifically if Sims, a fourth-year junior, should be considered the "heir apparent" to McCarron because he's received all of the backup snaps.

"Not at all," Saban said. "Not at all."

In six appearances, Sims has completed 16-of-24 passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns. A running back during his first two years at Alabama, he's also rushed for 40 yards. Saban has said he wants to see what Sims can do with his arm while at the helm of the Crimson Tide's "normal" offense whenever he spells McCarron.

Walk-on freshman Luke Del Rio is considered Alabama's third-string quarterback, but is unlikely to play because Saban would prefer to maintain his redshirt. Del Rio is one of three true freshman quarterbacks along with Cooper Bateman and Parker McLeod.

Saban said whomever Alabama recruits for the 2014 signing class will also compete for the job. Five-star David Cornwell, who recently underwent knee surgery, has been a Crimson Tide commitment for months and will enroll in time for spring football.

"The three freshman players all have a chance and a potential maybe to be
pretty good players but they may not be ready to play (right now)," Saban said. "But we're
practicing them and developing them right now and just because they
don't play in the game doesn't mean they're not going to get an opportunity
to compete for the position next year."

Saban said Alec Morris "could play" this season because he's already used his redshirt season, but did not elaborate much on his progress.

Saban used McCarron's path toward the starting job as an example for why
fans shouldn't read between the lines when particular quarterbacks
aren't on the field.

Star Jackson received snaps behind starter Greg McElroy in 2009, but McCarron was technically the Crimson Tide's No. 2 option during his true freshman season, Saban said. McCarron was McElroy's true backup in 2010 before he beat out Phillip Sims in 2011.